Jean Gracia has been named interim chief executive officer/general secretary of the scandal-hit IAAF. The 60-year-old Frenchman will hold the post until a permanent appointment is made later this year.

The IAAF president Sebastian Coe, who last week insisted he has not considered stepping down from his position at the head of the beleaguered organisation, said: “Jean Gracia, who is a former general secretary of the French Federation and a current vice-president of European Athletics, brings vast experience and will assist the continued smooth running of the association in the interim.